The big question has been .."How do you get those colors" I decided to color one of my tangles and take pictures at the different stages in order to give people a better idea on how I color. I hope if you are asking the same question that this will help you in your coloring ideas.

In this tangle I just chose one color for each pattern. I color very lightly because the paper will only take so much color in the end. The softer the pencil the better it will blend into the other colors on the paper.

I added just one more color on this example. It is a color I used to give more character to each of the previous colors and started the process of getting all the colors to blend in tone to each other.

Again I added just one more color....using it on each of the patterns on the page.

To get depth and texture I then add many layers of different color to the patterns. Darker colors under make 3-d effects on the lighter upper colors. Deeper colors on edges also help to make a textured look. Sometimes I used up to 8 layers of color to get the depth I want. If it looks to pink....I add yellow or orange.

Just an added note.....with this picture I used a variety of colored pencils. Some are the cheap Rose Art pencils and some are more expensive Prismacolor pencils. I would love to get some really nice pencils but I have to wait for another gift moment. I just went by color. I drew this picture on regular sketch paper. So the end result is that you do not have to spend a lot on your art work. When I use watercolor I use a hot press watercolor paper. This is more expensive so I conserve the paper as much as I can.

I found your site because of Laura´s (I Am The Diva) challenges.I´m overwhelmed of your beautiful style of colored ZTs.Thank you very much for sharing your technique of coloring. I already wondered how on earth you do this fabulous job.Love your art,Phine

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Tricia

1/26/2011 10:41:20 pm

LOVE your work. The step-by-step 'coloring' information is helpful. What materials did you use?

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ledenzer

1/27/2011 12:22:16 am

Just an added note.....with this picture I used a variety of colored pencils. Some are the cheap Rose Art pencils and some are more expensive Prismacolor pencils. I would love to get some really nice pencils but I have to wait for another gift moment. I just went by color. I drew this picture on regular sketch paper. So the end result is that you do not have to spend a lot on your art work. When I use watercolor I use a hot press watercolor paper. This is more expensive so I conserve the paper as much as I can.

This is drop dead gorgeous. I found you because of a comment you made on flickr. I've never seen colored pencil done so beautifully before. I appreciate you explaining how you add layer after layer to get the colors you want.

Your work is soooo beautiful...I saw your Zentangle Challenges on Iamthediva blog...they all were mind blowing..Thanks for sharing these step by step process of your technique...Its very very helpful...

Your artwork is so inspirational, thank you so much for giving us an insite into haw you produce such beautiful colours. I have a set of 36 Faber Castell Watercolour pencils which I love and don't use as much as I should. Must give this a go.

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Kristy S

12/2/2011 01:41:41 pm

I love your work. Your coloring is amazing. Thank you so much for sharing.I am on a budget, too, so its nice to see what can be done without expensive materials.

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Fi Nolan

4/27/2012 08:12:11 am

LeeAnn
Thank you so much for directing me here. Fab tips and beautiful work. Will have to get my Daler Rowney pencils out!
:@)
Fi - aka "nolansmanned" xx

Your work is so beautiful, LeeAnn. I admire the time and work of the many layers that go into your tangles. I have some Prismacolor square sticks(?) that I bought years ago on sale when I was starting pastels and thought that is what they were. I have never used them. I will have to experiment. I have never used colored pencils before.

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Ksenija

5/12/2012 01:56:12 am

Thank you for wonderful tutorial. I love the deepness and silkiness at the end.

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Artlike/Ed

5/13/2012 08:44:55 am

Your work is so amazing....I've always admired everything you post. I've recently picked up my cp after seeing what was being achieved on Wetcanvas. I was so pleased to find your tutorial. Thanks for sharing.
Artlike

Hey Lady! ... have missed you so much! ... this is an awesome tutorial, & our techniques are much the same, ... just repinned some of your pieces on pinterest ( don't have much time to spend there) but I wanted to be able to open up to your work whenever I want to see some truely inspirational art ... :)

Many thanks for this wonderful tutorial, I am very new at Zentangles, only been doing it for just over a week but hopefully I will get better with time...I joined the Yahoo group to so that I could glean some tips.
Joy in Australia (Joy in OZ)

Hi Lee Ann,
your address came up when I was logging into my website and I was delighted to see your wonderful zentangling. I love this artform as well. I think your style of zentangling is wonderfully flowing and organic and I really love it. Thank you for sharing your wonderful work with us all.

Oh my goodness Leeann! Your colours are amazingly vibrant and have so much depth.....and all that on cheap paper using various different quality of pencils? You are amazing!!! I have so much trouble layering pencil down - it always 'blooms' (from what i can gather from reading so many tutorials)....guess the trick is to go lightly then?

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Sue Edwards

4/21/2015 02:29:50 am

Thanks so much for showing us the steps of one of your pieces. My work usually looks like the 2nd or 3rd picture :( I guess I need to be more patient and go with more lighter layers.
Thanks & I look forward to seeing more of your work.

I'm also a big fan of Ben Kwok!

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Tracy McDonald

5/9/2015 02:26:40 pm

It's so nice to see beautiful things. Thank you for sharing your beautiful drawings. I use Crayola crayons & Crayola colored pencils. Crayons blend nicely too. One can make many shades by "over-coloring" & the white blends and smooths.

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Kate

8/31/2015 04:12:45 am

LOVE this site. I'm new to zentangles and just found it thanks to my 14yr old granddaughter. I have 4 grandchildren who ALL love to doodle and colour. Thanks for a great site and colouring tips!

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I am a wife, mother, grandmother, clerk, and appreciator of art. Sometimes I try to produce some art myself. Mainly I love the art of others. Doodling has been a big part of my life. Notes were never left unadorned. Now that I have found zentangle....doodling has become more exciting and fun! I hope you enjoy.